General Discussion

renate

(13,776 posts)

46. very well written

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 11:10 PM

Jan 2013

My parents were raised this way. Not a bad way of life and I can see why the people there are afraid of change. I wouldn't be crazy about it either if I were in their shoes. I don't think they vote GOP because of racism or any other -ism--not most of them--but they like their churches and they like going hunting with their friends and they believe Fox News when they're told that the Democrats want to take these things away.

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Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? [View all] davidn3600 Jan 2013 OP

clinging to guns and religion? maggiesfarmer Jan 2013 #1

That's what I think sells the GOP to them, and the republicans know how to RKP5637 Jan 2013 #2

fucking + 1,000,000. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #8

Or, the use of "wedge issues" to get people to vote against their class interests. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #42

That phrase right there illustrates exactly WHY they side with republicans. OneTenthofOnePercent Jan 2013 #47

or just quit trying to ban our guns. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #57

In your opinion, what would be a good way to say "clinging to guns and religion?" ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #153

This post demonstrates how it's ok in reverse Lordquinton Jan 2013 #171

Not really, they live in a bubble Riftaxe Jan 2013 #198

You're just highlighting my point Lordquinton Jan 2013 #221

LOL tabasco Jan 2013 #255

I hear ye. redgreenandblue Jan 2013 #174

Exactly! Condescension ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #233

One coud also ask... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #252

Rural voters = white. sadbear Jan 2013 #3

So was John Kerry. Did he win the rural vote? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #54

Did he win the white vote? sadbear Jan 2013 #61

There was some peanut farmer, whaddayacalhim... nt tama Jan 2013 #172

Pretty much. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #101

I wonder what percentage of rural voters are non-white? sadbear Jan 2013 #115

Except in the South No Vested Interest Jan 2013 #154

Yes, the key word is 'voters'. sadbear Jan 2013 #156

The GOP has spent 30 years telling them that being poor makes them more partiotic JoePhilly Jan 2013 #4

So there's no poverty in urban areas? leftstreet Jan 2013 #5

The GOP calls those in the inner city, "thugs". JoePhilly Jan 2013 #10

But why don't impoverished urban people vote GOP? leftstreet Jan 2013 #16

No, I said the GOP tells "them", the RURAL POOR, that their poverty is patriotic. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #19

What do the Democrats tell these impoverished people? leftstreet Jan 2013 #29

Not much - they start yelling instead of listening jeff47 Jan 2013 #98

Judging by the attitudes of some Democrats... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #124

It's difficult to remain charitable when they're screaming at you about Rush's latest fantasy (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #130

I understand that. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #134

I don't think it's possible jeff47 Jan 2013 #140

Dems should start with GOP attempt to exboyfil Jan 2013 #191

That is far from universally true. antigone382 Jan 2013 #197

I think you've got something there... ReRe Jan 2013 #163

I have had a much different experience Democratic Principle Jan 2013 #230

You are very lucky... ReRe Jan 2013 #247

I don't know... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #6

Another good way to say it. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #11

Lets not forget that many of the rural poor joined the military. FarPoint Jan 2013 #112

So being wealthy is what makes one patriotic? Riftaxe Jan 2013 #200

Because most of them listen to hate radio! Auntie Bush Jan 2013 #7

But why do poor rural folk listen to hate radio, Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #55

Sometimes, the only radio stations available in rural areas carry hate radio Art_from_Ark Jan 2013 #89

That's it exactly spinbaby Jan 2013 #185

Yep. It's a captive, controlled audience. nt Zorra Jan 2013 #268

Because it explains rural poverty by blaming it on urban poverty. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #102

Yes, and when your life is hard truebluegreen Jan 2013 #173

Go on a cross country drive with nothing to listen to but radio and you'll wonder no more Fumesucker Jan 2013 #167

Really? Contemporary music stations Riftaxe Jan 2013 #204

This is absolutely true. Mr Nay and I travel extensively and the airwaves, generally, have been Nay Jan 2013 #206

so many factors, really.... NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #9

"What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America " KoKo Jan 2013 #33

thanks! great book. saw him interviewed often on the teevee after it was published. NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #35

Also: "Deer Hunting With Jesus"...by Joe Bageant explains much more. KoKo Jan 2013 #38

I am truly sorry to read that he died renate Jan 2013 #41

Thanks...there were some podcasts of him the year before he died where he KoKo Jan 2013 #45

great writer riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #79

That's a very good book. patrice Jan 2013 #120

So sorry about Joe I used to read his website I didn' tknow he passed kimbutgar Jan 2013 #232

Doesn't religion exist in inner cities too? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #58

Sure it does, but (again, the issue with generalities) not like in rural in terms NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #65

I'd add that fundamental/conservative religion also tends to view poverty as moral failing SpartanDem Jan 2013 #132

that's the line that many of our neighbors take. on one hand, they all flock to NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #136

I see the problem right here on DU. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #12

I think somewhat differently. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #21

But those elected "Democrats" consistently vote with Repug when they get into congress KoKo Jan 2013 #49

Really? What % of their votes are Republican? dmallind Jan 2013 #220

Well...I live in NC...our Dems for the most part vote in House and Senate with Repugs. KoKo Jan 2013 #246

Actually, there isn't much to back up that assertion jeff47 Jan 2013 #113

You have a point YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #129

AS a campaign staffer I agree 100% tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #168

That makes a very unfounded assumption quakerboy Jan 2013 #236

Liberals are better educated. Jeevus Jan 2013 #13

I got a great education in very rural Wyoming. TransitJohn Jan 2013 #25

It's a generalization, like the question. Jeevus Jan 2013 #30

Prejudice masquerading as enlightened sentiment YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #118

More schooled tama Jan 2013 #176

the GOP has defined the Democrats KT2000 Jan 2013 #14

Your policies are weak and puny. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #15

food stamps for all? hopemountain Jan 2013 #64

I read somewhere tama Jan 2013 #180

ok so... limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #241

^^This too. And how about aiding SMALL rural farmers to grow fresh food for sale locally? And Nay Jan 2013 #222

Amen to all of that. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #239

Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? Dr. Who Jan 2013 #17

Republicans know how to lie to rural voters, and push their buttons, while they screw them n/t arcane1 Jan 2013 #22

How have they not figured out how to lie to inner city voters? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #60

Inner city voters (of any race) don't trust rich white guys who pander to rednecks and fundies. arcane1 Jan 2013 #66

Because the lies are to blame all problems on the inner city voters. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #117

Because the pubs have already called them welfare queens, shiftless blacks, illegal immigrant Nay Jan 2013 #208

So then .... Sparkly Jan 2013 #27

Probably because Dr. Who Jan 2013 #51

That's so puzzling. Sparkly Jan 2013 #69

To many of the rural voters Dr. Who Jan 2013 #91

Weird. Sparkly Jan 2013 #104

Actually many Dr. Who Jan 2013 #138

Personally, I wouldn't call what you're describing an "oasis." Sparkly Jan 2013 #143

Reality is way of life tama Jan 2013 #181

I think there are *lots* of people in the US in 2013 MadrasT Jan 2013 #270

Um, post office is government service. So is clean air act and banking regs and insurances. uppityperson Jan 2013 #152

I'm recalling the Nichols brothers of Michigan.... llmart Jan 2013 #193

Aren't farming subsidies government also? Very weird. uppityperson Jan 2013 #158

I think you hit it right on: cilla4progress Jan 2013 #205

Rural voters have been told for decades that liberal is a dirty word meow2u3 Jan 2013 #18

Well said. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #99

Thank you, meow2u3 sarge43 Jan 2013 #187

I live in a rural area and I am a diehard democrat. I think this area I am in is also southernyankeebelle Jan 2013 #20

Joe Bageant does good job of explaining it... KoKo Jan 2013 #23

Joe (RIP) was a great writer. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #37

The whiter the area, the redder the politics. Most of rural America is still lilly white. leveymg Jan 2013 #24

We have to get to the REASON that CT and the Northern States vote the way they do KoKo Jan 2013 #53

Why does CT and the NE remain deep blue? Education, unions, opportunity, liberal traditions leveymg Jan 2013 #63

Absolutely. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #123

Those blessings were acquired over several hundred years. The South took a different path a long leveymg Jan 2013 #146

Now...as one of the most Informed Posters on DU...you KNOW this is more nuanced KoKo Jan 2013 #244

J'Admets - leveymg Jan 2013 #250

thanks.... KoKo Jan 2013 #254

You and Stephen C are among my favorite South Carolinians. ;-) leveymg Jan 2013 #261

Interesting... KoKo Jan 2013 #266

You mentioned the more democratic culture on the coast and islands. leveymg Jan 2013 #272

Vermont is one of the whitest states in the USA,#2 I think. Hardly a red state.Maine virgogal Jan 2013 #72

See my comment about the cultural institutions that make the NE different from the rural south. leveymg Jan 2013 #93

Gawd, guns, & gays. blkmusclmachine Jan 2013 #26

As a diehard Dem in Red Texas... I can tell you. w8liftinglady Jan 2013 #28

Farm subsidies, guns, religion, homophobia, anti-immigration (racist), lack of higher education riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #31

Here's an article about how rural voters' influence is decreasing. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #32

Grew up in a small town. cherish44 Jan 2013 #34

I was born in a small town in central Kansas octoberlib Jan 2013 #95

I am quite positive you are just stereotyping about the religious thing Riftaxe Jan 2013 #209

Study some of the posts in DU and other forums. Notice what some say about... Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #36

very well written renate Jan 2013 #46

Absolutely 100% spot on Berserker Jan 2013 #83

Same could be said about folks from rural areas. Moses2SandyKoufax Jan 2013 #86

Perhaps. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #107

Well, the OP was asking why rural people aren't Democrats, not the other way around. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #144

"historically" is not omitted as an oversight - it would be a lie dmallind Jan 2013 #223

Not all of 'the north' is urban. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #234

In the south or north Riftaxe Jan 2013 #211

I think it's about living with different people, and experiencing diversity. Sparkly Jan 2013 #39

There is also the flip side of that Riftaxe Jan 2013 #213

I believe the power of Fox entertainment FarPoint Jan 2013 #40

How come AM talk radio has no influence on the inner cities? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #62

I think people in the inner cities are smart enough to know when they're being scapegoated. nt Sparkly Jan 2013 #74

because if you choose to live in a rural setting Riftaxe Jan 2013 #215

because inner city people have more options? hopemountain Jan 2013 #75

Cities have FM radio, normally music not talk formats. ManiacJoe Jan 2013 #92

Right.... Riftaxe Jan 2013 #216

Inner city is cool.... FarPoint Jan 2013 #97

Because AM talk radio blames the inner cities for all of our problems. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #122

Because they are the ones that AM Hate Radio is demonizing. Ikonoklast Jan 2013 #199

True in rural Maine as well. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #238

And those mostly rural Ohio counties whose citizens absolutely depend on taxpayer assistance Ikonoklast Jan 2013 #242

Because they're rural. geomon666 Jan 2013 #43

And conversely, they don't see the positive effect liberal policies have on them YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #142

Ya got me gramps Riftaxe Jan 2013 #217

I grew up in rural south, very democrat, somehow the prejudice moved from Democrat to Republican. Thinkingabout Jan 2013 #44

They're definitely more socially conservative LeftInTX Jan 2013 #48

Religion Marrah_G Jan 2013 #50

Democrats are the party of public goods eridani Jan 2013 #52

It's a number of factors SpartanDem Jan 2013 #56

Another good post. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #103

Racism and social conservatism. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #59

God and MichaelHarris Jan 2013 #67

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #68

Tell us more. Sparkly Jan 2013 #70

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #76

Is change what's bothering you? Sparkly Jan 2013 #80

He/she will be gone soon. xoom Jan 2013 #78

I know.... Sparkly Jan 2013 #82

They sure seem to wiggle a lot right before the end. xoom Jan 2013 #84

Gone... Sparkly Jan 2013 #85

Your Ronnie Raygun started the "phone" program. underseasurveyor Jan 2013 #88

your boy larwdem Jan 2013 #108

Actually, they're not Obama phones . They're Bush phones. Get your facts straight. octoberlib Jan 2013 #111

Most rural voters have less education and a lower IQ. Terra Alta Jan 2013 #71

Less education maybe, but not a lower IQ. Sparkly Jan 2013 #77

Yes, a lower IQ Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #100

Yeah, I'd guess test-taking abilities Sparkly Jan 2013 #109

Also if you have a higher IQ, wickerwoman Jan 2013 #135

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #218

I think much of that is due to brainwashing by rural pastors Terra Alta Jan 2013 #105

Or the pastors are equally scared. Sparkly Jan 2013 #110

It didn't used to be this way. Kansas was a hotbed of dissidents. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #73

And fundamentalist religion, in many places and for many people, filled that gap YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #116

I live in a rural area, and it's also very blue. The differene, I think, is that it isn't poor. Brickbat Jan 2013 #81

You're in Minnesota? Which has other significant differences. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #90

IQ snooper2 Jan 2013 #87

"Some" traditional agrarian conservatism. moondust Jan 2013 #94

If I was ever going to ask this question, anywhere... Fla_Democrat Jan 2013 #96

It's Changing, Albeit Slowly... But The Rural Kids Have Laptops And Cell Phones Now... WillyT Jan 2013 #106

There are real grievances against Democrats in much of rural America YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #114

So they're just mad that somebody called them names? Sparkly Jan 2013 #119

Well, it doesn't help that the people calling the names... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #121

But that proves the point. Sparkly Jan 2013 #126

Ironic... No ??? WillyT Jan 2013 #125

I would say the lack of critical thinking still_one Jan 2013 #127

The smart and open minded people leave small towns... Odin2005 Jan 2013 #128

And often move back. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #235

Failure to find genuine commonality with them & then to authentically respect & enjoy connection patrice Jan 2013 #131

In my experience Stargazer09 Jan 2013 #133

Yeah, there's very little oppurtunity in a lot of rural towns YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #137

Probably not much Stargazer09 Jan 2013 #141

Also, America used to be majority-rural YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #139

Since the late '70's, most of my family has lived in and around Terre Haute, IN. Brigid Jan 2013 #145

This... WillyT Jan 2013 #147

Not sure what you're asking. Brigid Jan 2013 #149

I'm... Agreeing ??? WillyT Jan 2013 #165

+1 MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #184

Well, why do Republicans do so poorly in urban areas and big cities? Ter Jan 2013 #148

how poorly do we actually do? Recursion Jan 2013 #150

Depends on the area YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #225

Maybe it's... naah. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #151

My belief is that the next four years will change some minds. BootinUp Jan 2013 #155

Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? Generations Herlong Jan 2013 #157

Some of you are right and some of you are wrong. ruralvoter89 Jan 2013 #159

I live in a poor rural area of Vermont called the Northeast Kingdom cali Jan 2013 #160

Care to comment on farm subsidies? moondust Jan 2013 #161

Abomination tama Jan 2013 #183

Well said ruralvoter89. CalFresh Jan 2013 #228

Coming from a rural area, hate radio is often all that comes in & people listen to it. catbyte Jan 2013 #162

It's time for us to make a difference Herlong Jan 2013 #164

AM hate radio aka "talk radio" Thor_MN Jan 2013 #166

That's it in a nutshell. Everything else is secondary. Auntie Bush Jan 2013 #273

I live in a large city Le Taz Hot Jan 2013 #169

Guns, and a lack of understanding. beevul Jan 2013 #170

This reminds me of incident tama Jan 2013 #175

So rural people don't use modern medicine? wickerwoman Jan 2013 #262

Some do, some don't tama Jan 2013 #264

They are low information voters, many of them--they work long hours and they aren't interested in MADem Jan 2013 #177

What will your excuse be when the Democratics win these areas doing nothing different except graham4anything Jan 2013 #178

Why do respectable journals demand peer reviewed content? napoleon_in_rags Jan 2013 #179

hyper- patriotism loyalsister Jan 2013 #182

guns and god mans two worst inventions bowens43 Jan 2013 #186

This thread demonstrates the answer. LWolf Jan 2013 #188

It seems pretty clear, right? The2ndWheel Jan 2013 #189

A large portion of this thread melm00se Jan 2013 #190

Well said! YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #224

Why does the GOP do so poorly with urban voters? vi5 Jan 2013 #192

+1 DCBob Jan 2013 #202

Yep. That is a better question. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #207

This thread reminds me of a line from a very famous novel (see if you can guess it without google) tjwash Jan 2013 #194

Catch-22. I Googled it. randome Jan 2013 #196

It is one of the all time classics...you need to get past that first 4 chapters tjwash Jan 2013 #214

Alot has to do with the message that comes out from supporters Arcanetrance Jan 2013 #195

Stability and conformity are more valued in rural areas. Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2013 #201

As long as that newly started tribe isn't too different The2ndWheel Jan 2013 #210

By definition, ruralism means isolation from the demographic melting pots of urban living. Old and In the Way Jan 2013 #203

Because people who should know better often do not. nt The Midway Rebel Jan 2013 #212

The message has a lot to do with it. 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #219

The term "low information voter" comes to mind. nt Deep13 Jan 2013 #226

farmers don't think crop subsidies are welfare yurbud Jan 2013 #227

Because they can't hide their contempt for them. Throd Jan 2013 #229

Ignorance. budkin Jan 2013 #231

I grew up in a rural area. PDJane Jan 2013 #237

Great post! I have lived B Calm Jan 2013 #249

I think, generally speaking, gollygee Jan 2013 #240

Good Points there..... Hope folks will read this. It does make sense. KoKo Jan 2013 #243

Interesting theory. LWolf Jan 2013 #245

Farming is the original collective. PDJane Jan 2013 #267

more of them will have to read and learn. Pretzel_Warrior Jan 2013 #248

Conservative churches, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News. Rinse and repeat. CanonRay Jan 2013 #251

Values dissonance, therefore we Dems need to step it up agentS Jan 2013 #253

I don't think there is any way to appeal to them treestar Jan 2013 #256

There is a way to appeal to them tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #260

That sounds good actually treestar Jan 2013 #263

Right-wing take-over the AM radio waves. shcrane71 Jan 2013 #257

In the rural county where I live... Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #258

The GOP tells them... Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #259

They view themselves as "rugged individualists holding off Democratic Socialist traitors," is why. WinkyDink Jan 2013 #265

The answer is that there's no easy answer Hippo_Tron Jan 2013 #269

Rural areas are conservative, the world over muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #271